How to Move SSL Certificate from Windows Server to Another Windows Server

Moving SSL certificate from one windows server to another windows server

It holds both import and export process.

How to move SSL certificate from Windows Server to Windows Server

• In order to initiate a process of moving SSL certificate from one windows server to another windows server, first of all, we need to export certificate from existing windows server using Windows MMC console.

• Click on Start icon from Windows Computer and then search for “Run” option Application Search Field.

• In Run console, type mmc and then hit OK.

• Browse File option from menu bar and click on the option called “Add/Remove Snap-in”.

• On the next step, Hit Add button. From right-hand side Double-click on Certificates option in Add/Remove Snap-in console.

• Choose the radio button Computer Account and the hit Nextbutton for further process.

• Again choose the option Local Computer in form of radio button and then hit Finish button.

• Click OK.

• From Add/Remove Snap-in console, Click on Plus button, located next to Certificates.

• Expand the plus sign to browse the Person folder from left-hand side and then click on the Certificates folder. Now, check the center portion of Console, you would have Certificate, Right-click on it and then choose the option “All Tasks” and then Export option.

• Next, in the Certificate Export Wizard, initiate process and click Next.

• Select the option “Yes, export the private key” and then hit Next button.

• Select the option “Yes, export the private key” and then hit Next button.

• Check the box for “Include all certificates in all certification path if possible” under Personal Information Exchange – PKCS and then hit Next button.

• Enter desired password and confirm a password. Note: It is required password if you want the certificate is imported to another server.

• In Next step, you would have another pop-up to Browse and to save the .pfx file. Name your file with extention of .pfx like “mywebsite.pfx” and then move further by hitting Next button.

• Now complete the process by hitting Finish button. It is now confirm that the certificate and the private key has been stored in the location that you have mentioned in the process.

Import the certificate in the Windows MMC console

• Now that you’ve successfully exported the certificate from the original server, the next step in line is to copy the .pfx file you save to the new server. Follow below instructions to import:

• First, go to Run from the Start menu.

• Type mmc and click OK

• Now, click on File in the menu bar and click Add/Remove Snap-in...

• Click on the Add button and double-click on Certificates if you are on the Windows Server 2003.

• Select the Computer Account option and click Next.

• Now, select the Local Computer in Select Computer window. Click Finish

• Click Close and then OK if you’re using the Windows Server 2003.

• Right-click on the Personal folder in the Console Root and go to All Tasks>>Import.

• Click Next in the Certificate Import Wizard window.

• Click the Browse button to select the .pfx file you copied. If it doesn’t appear, change the file type from "X.509..." to "Personal Information Exchange (*.pfx, *.p12)“

• Click Open and then Next.

• Now, you must enter the password you set while exporting the .pfxfile. For that, mark the "Mark this key as exportable" check box and click Next.

• Select the "Automatically select the certificate store based on the type of certificate" option and click Next.

• Click on Finish.

• Click on the Refresh button in the toolbar to find your newly-imported certificate. You can see your certificate in the Certificatesfolder inside the Personal folder.

• Done? Congratulations. You can now close the MMC console.

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